Folding frame structure



Nov. 16, 1943.

R. R. PATTERSON ET AL FOLDING FRAME STRUCTURE Filed April 13, 19412 6 Sheets-Sheet 1- N v- 16, 1943. R. R. PATTERSON Em 2,3 4,43

FOLDING FRAME STRUCTURE Filed April 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Nbv. 16, 1943. R; k. PATTERSON ETAL 2,334,435

FOLDING FRAME STRUCTURE Filed April 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 n Q Lg, Q \0 2|\ Z2 1 4 J1:- I L, .r/ '7'! I 9 l 4 I6 I 7.; l7 l6" 20 4 i e Z6 62 39' 63 2 sva I I 9L f l g a: xii:

Nov. 16, 1943. R. R. PATTERSON ETAL 2,334,435

FOLDING FRAME STRUCTURE Filed'.April 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 1943- R. R. PATTERSON ETAL 2,334,435

FOLDING FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Aprii 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS Fob er) 1. Pa'hal-Jon 1943- R. RpPATTERSON ET AL 2,334,435

FQLDING FRAME STRUCTURE '6 Sheets-Sheet '6 Filed April 13', 1942 INVENTORS" Patented Nov. 16, 1943 721334335 r r PFOLDING' FRAME STRUCTURE "Robert "ni'lfa'ttr strg eros'se' giiriaae. ajjii lerr'rei 1 ,r'rr mn mar ;i -.a ii r it i em m- "cal Handling sys t ms;- Inc Detroit, Mich, "a

*cOrporatidmof-Mw Application April "13,1942, sefiai Nuxiesiiie 9 Claims.

invention relates to Folding frame-structures particularly jdesignedzfor use "as a su porting structure for aportable:sheltersuch'as atent. In "structures of this 'class, it is highlydesira-ble that the frame be capable of being *easily and quickly assembled and disassembled and when disassembled it should 'be in a' co'mpact form which can be satisfactorily-packed fo'r transpor-t. It is also important thatthe f-ra'me of i-igid construction when assembled to afi'ord a's'a-tis factory structure. I

It is, therefore, the primary Ub'jCt'dithBlPl'GSe ent invention to provide a folding frame 'of the above type which will satisfy the requirements of, facility in assembly, compajct packing when bled.

It is a iurther object to -make'?avail able ia tent frame, the major partsoi whichcan be lprelihii nariry assembled "together in a" substantially flat position'o'n the ground, and the flame partsthen raised together into their final-relativepcsitions.

I-t is 'another object to makeavailable a. teiit frame having A--fr'ah-ie wall to .1rid""'"13ole connections, so arranged that the-ridgeooie be assembled to the harem end walls when said A-fra'mes are in hat position on the arcane and with said ridge intale so cenneeted to said A-frai'nes as to allow simdItaneoiis swifigiiig movement *ois'aid i k-frames to a veto-earnest o'h facing each 'othei' 'while 'cairying said ridge pole into final position relative to the A=fraihes.

The above and other objects or the inventioa Fig.3 shows the irairie completely as'se'tnbled with a diagrammatic. showing thereonof the canvas covering and suphortsfthereior. i

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a-side wall I-ramein a folded position.

Fig.5 shows the folded positiofiofthelother side wall frame for the opposite side of the; from that shown in -Fig.,4-; 1 v 1;; igs. 6 to 6 -F inclusiveare planyir mvs Fig.1 ra ses to" 7 arts of the 'A-, on,I-and the diagonal (cries-Ts) "the-Names sub-assemblies: which, "are used for tlaelwomplete assembly, the parts being show in-their ioldedrrpesitions zas follows: V 1

Fi 6' shows the 'A frame cross brace.

5 Fig. '6. Ads one sidewall frame.

Fig. 6 isone A 'trame and Wall.

Fig. :-'.-C is the ridge pole together with the ridgepole to A-Traine braces "secured thereto.

'lQ i-S identical with the one' shown in ,Fig. (i=3.

Fig; 6 E is the-other si-dewall frame which is idntieal with the one shownsin Fig. 6'-A.

FigxG-Fis the other lk-frame cross brace identical'with the "one shown'in Fig. 6. 1

-:Eig. 7 is a =detail1ofth ridge .pole to A-frame disassembled, and rigidity of firam'e when assem= connection, front view, with the -A-framegopen. arse 'view taken 'on the line 8+8 of Fig. 7

ai'id 'shows "a side ,view of the ridge p'olet'o A frame con'tiectioh. a

'29; =F-'ig.-:9 is a sectiorrthr'ough the ridge zpole center hinge joint and is a section taken substantially on the hire 9=-9- of Fig.3. i

:Fig. '10 is a section through the ridge pole adjacent the 'center hinge. joint and is a section taken QFS 'SubstantiaHy'oh the line lit-HI of Fig. :3. j

l'l isa section taken through the ridge pole adjacent the diagohalbrace connection and is a section taken on-the line H -H of Fig. 3.

A Fig.-2l-2 is a section through the ridge .pole at tiie p'oint where the ridge pole diagonal brace connects iandpthe'sectioh is taken on the line 12 -1201 Fig-. 3.. c

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the gusset which forms avertical memberinthe girder and which see eii' 'curesthe ridge :pole tothediagonal brace. 4

sF-igwl is a detail of one ridge polelattice brace member: g l I g. 15 rise further detail of one ridge pole lattice brace member and shows a cross sectio ldtakenon-the Iine M li-of Fig-14. i

:Fig. -16is a top view :partially in section ofthe A'f-frameto, side wall; frame 5' oint and is taken on thelili'ed-fig'lfi ofFi'g; a.

Fig.4! is -a-=-side view of the A- f rame to side .45' wall frame joint and is taken on the line Fl -"l1 Fig. 718 is tonview of the-end plate used at the bot-tomof each of the-A-ira-me vertical members andisaview andsection taken on the line I 8-l 8 so "of Fig, 3; a

-Fig. ;-19 is a top view of the endaplate used at the bottom of each of the side wall vertical ;frame centermemb ers and istaken on the line l9l9' orrigasa-gw I i -5'5 i-sa Section through a horizohtal side;

frame member near the vertical center member and is a section taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the tent frame hereindisclosed is made in seven compact subassembly units, each of which when disassembled, and ready for packing, is a compact unit of a size easily packed with the other units. These seven units are shown in Figs. 6 to 6F, inclusive, all 'of the parts which are capable of folding, being shown in their folded positions. The parts are as follows: A-frame or end wall assemblies Ill and I I, shown in Figs. 6--B and 6D; ridge pole;assembly I2 shown in Fig. 6 side frame as-- semblies I3 and I4 shown in Figs. (i-Aand 6-E; and A-frame cross braces I5 and I6 shown in Figs 6 and 6F.

A-frame end wall assemblies with cross braces Each of the A-irame end walls Ill and II have diagonal or rafter members I1, I8, the correspondingmembers in the A-frame I being numbered I1 and IB'i 'The two diagonalmembers The left hand end of the pin 31 extends a short distance beyond the adjacent hinge connecting member 23 and the hole 230. out in said hinge connecting member 23 is of oblong shape so that on the opening of the A-frame the projecting end of the pin 31 will, on swinging on the are shown, extend into the opening and will be supported on the lower side only of the oblong hole in hinge connecting member 23. The result of the aforementioned mounting of the ridge pole pin 35 is to pivot its lower end on an I axis in the plane of the A-frame and substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground when the A-frame is in opened position ready for use. Such amounting allows the pin to swing in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the A-frame during assembly as will later appear.

members 25, 26 by a plurality of securing rivets while the upper ends of the fittings 21, 28 are secured'to theinembers I1, I8, respectively, each by a single rivet 21a, 28a forming a'pivot so that the ends 25, 26 may be swung into the folded position shown in Figs. 6-A and 613. The holes 21b, 28b inthe members .I1, I8 where the pivots are formed are slotted so that the ends of members I1, I8 and 25,26 may be brought close together in" final position and also be free to swing "to folded' position without interference. In final position, the fittings 21, 23 are each secured by additional securing members which are herein shown as bolts 29, 30.: f

The .A-frame diagonals I1, lugs 3|, '32 with suitable-pins or rivets therein, as shown, to receive A-frame cross braces I5, I6 shown in Figs. 6 and 6 F.' These A-frame cross braces I 5, I6 each have a slotted fitting 33 at their ends whichfit on the pins of the lugs 3|, 32 and slide outward thereon to be locked in place and to retain-the A-frame from further outward movement; Eachof. the A-frame cross braces I5, I6 have a permanently secured bolt 34 projecting downwardly therefrom to receive the ridgefipole v diagonal brace later to be described.

Each A-framealso carries at itsupper end a ridge pole pin 35 which issh'owncn the'det'ail views of Figs. 7 and 8 as well as in Figs. 6B 'and- 6D. The ridge pole pin 35, as shown in Fig. 7, is mounted upon a cylindrical shaped block 36 having an axially extending hole therein to re-' ceivea pivot pin 31, theridge pole pin-35 being threaded into the cylindrical block'36 in a direc- I hon-perpendicular to the central opening for the pin 31. The pin 31 has a laterally extending right hand portion, as shown in Fig. 7, which is secured, preferably bywelding, to the A-frame hinge connectingmember 24, and diagonal 'I8 as shown in Fig.7. The block member 36 is secured on the pin 31 but left free to rotate relative' thereto by means of a collar 38, als0 as shown in Fig. 7.

I8 also carry two Ridge pole Ridge pole I2 is made up of top and bottom longitudinal members 39 and 40, respectively,

ridge pole by suitable fittings 43, 44, having por-.

tions shaped to be welded or otherwise secured to the'members 39 and 45 as shown in Fig. 60. Further details of the hinge joint are shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Referring to Fig. 9, which is a crosssectional detail of the fitting 43, it. is there shown that the downwardly projecting hinge member isformedin a u-shape 45 which fits ,inside'of the longitudinal channelmember 39 and is bent .to surround. the lower longitudinal meme berr4iland has'its downwardly extending portionsformed to receive the pivotpin v42. Similarly', the fitting 44 is made up of a U-shaped member 46 also fitting inside the channel member 39' and bent to surround thelower channel member 40 and-the downwardly extending portions fit inside the similar portions of the U-shaped member 45 to form the hinge, the pivot pin 42- extending through both lower extending extremities of members 45 and 46. A short tube 41 serves as a spacer to prevent collapsing of the free lower ends of members 45, 46 as shown in both Figs. 9 and 10. The alignment of the two parts of the hingedridge pole is further assured by the provision of a hole 48 in the end of, a plate 49 covering the end of the fitting 44 and a projection 50 In the similarly located hole in the plate covering the end of the fitting 43 (Fig. 6C). The several partsjabove described are preferably secured to the ridge pole longitudinal members by welding,

and 52'. This construction is shown in Figs. 3,.

6-C. and 12, Fig. 12 being a cross section through the pin connection, The pin connection is secured to the ridge pole by vertical members 53, shown in Fig. 12-and Fig'. 13, with a notched 1101554 so shaped as to retain'the pin 52 from rotation relative to the member 53 and thu requiring that the pin 52 rotate in the holes provided in the pro- J'eotiiig end of the member 5|. v p

The ends of the ridge pole ar provided with vertically disposed holes 55, 55" adapted to -fit on The ridge .pole I2 is hinged at its,

the ridge pole pins I85,1 :5f':and are formed by suitable pieces of :tubing '55:: welded ato-ztheiinsideof the longitudinalmemberlflfl andasimilarly secured to-a U-shaped memberiili .zextending :below thev member 39 .and: further .securedto uthe ridgespole.

bythe .diagonatmember 51 -.se(ml'edt to'theiendiof the'longitudinalmemberflfl (Flee-.8).

Side frame assemblies The side frameassem li s 1. :14, shown folded in Figs- .6- .A a l e-E. comprise longitudinal tened C-shaped section, as shownin Fig.16, thus,

forming a slotted fitting which slides over .a 'suitable oblong plate members's l secured; to vertical members 25, 2-6 of the Aeframe. .bymivets land spacers as shown in Fignlfi three rivets being used, two with flat heads andthe lower rivetwith an extending head serving assa stOp for the mem ber 60 as shown in Fig. 17. I The oblong plates-64 are secured to both sidesv of the A-frame vertical members 25, 26, 25', 26' in order -that the A-frames may be usedfor either-end of the tent.

Figur 20 shows a further detail of the connection between the fitting 62, the vertical .member 63 and the horizontal members-58, .59 of the side frame. assembly, Figure 20 being asection through the horizontal member of the side framellooking toward the center folding joint made by fitting d2. End plates 66 are secured to thebottom of the vertical members of the Aefr-ame as shown in Figure 18, a hole 61 being. provided for a stake to more positively secure the frame to the ground if so desired. Similar 'end plates are also secured to the end of the side frame vertical members as shown at 66A inFigLlQ and in Fig. 3,- a similar hole 61A for a stake being also provided.

Assembly One of the important featuresof the. frame is its ease-of assembly. 7 Beginning with the parts in folded position as they would be when unpacked, Figs. '6 to .6 -.'-F inclusive, showingthe parts in their folded conditionthe first step in assembly is to take the two A-frames. ill and II and open them up to the positions showninzFig. 1 by swinging the two members l1, 18 .on .thehinge joint 2|], the two frames l0, H being laid down on the ground with their top ends pointing in the same direction in substantially the condition shown in Fig. 1. Before the'A-frames are entirely opened to the position shown in Fig. 1, the A-frame cross members l5 and I6 (Figs. 6 and 6F) are hooked to the lugs 3 I, 32 and when the A-frames are opened their position is determined by the end of the slot in the end fittings 33 of the A-frame cross members l5, 16 as shown in Fig. 1.

With reference to the ridge pole pins 35, 35, Figs. 6-0 and 6D show the position of these pins when the A-frames ar in folded position, the pivot pin 37 being secured to the members l8 and 24. As the A-frame swings on hinge 20, however, the pivot pin 31 i carried by the member l8 and finally the end of pin 31 swings into the rimrposition, lishown lin'lliga'l withiendr mm at at'the fbottom of the slotted :hole :23a in member 211 3371 z-ridge "pflle-pinslsi will uthenlbe free to pivot on..the:cross pins :31,.:see v1 and 7;:so that'lthe pins 351cm be 'broughtatoan upright positionperpendicular to the plane of vthe A- frames :asshownin Fig. 11. At thisstag-e in'the procedure; the ridge.v pole 12 shown foldedinFig. 6--:-C..can then 'be unfolded to its: extended length positionandplaced in position adjacent the end frames so that the upwardly extending ridge pole pins. 35, :':35'-.of lthe-A-frames can readily be entered into 115116110165 155,55 in the .ends of the ridgepole. Theentire assembly is thenin substantially the condition shown in Fig. 1 with the .A-frame and ridge pole assembly being flat on .theiground. The :next step is to lift theA- frames to a vertical position, and durin this movement the A-frames swing relatively to the ridgepole on the pivot pins 131 which are horizontal andin theplane of the A-frames. After this {swinging movement to bring th A-frames vertical, the frame is then in the position shown in Fig. 2. In order to secure the assembly in this position, it is only necessary to unfold the diagonal brace members 5|, 5| and secure their ends to the A-fr-ame cross braces l5 and I6 by means of-the bolts .34, 34' and the wing nuts attached thereto. It :will be apparent thatthe assembly, asshown in Fig. 2 with members 5|, 5| in place, is in a rigidly supported position and will stand by itself. The next step in the assembly is to lift the frame sufficiently so that each of the verticalmember fi, 2 6, 25", 2B of the A- iramesmay be unfolded and brought to a vertical position. The U-Shaped fitting membersZl, 28, 21, 28' then coming into position on the diagonal-rafter members H, -18 of the A-frames and being secured in place by the previously mentioned bolts and nuts 29 and 39, this position of the A -frames being shown in, Fig. 3. It will be remembered that the holes 21b, 28b ar slotted andtherefore when the vertical members 25, 25 are in final position the pins or rivets 21a, 28a forming the pivot will be pushed to the upper ends of their respective slots, thus bringing the'members'closer-together than would bepossiblewithout theslotted construction. 7 7

It is next necessary to assemble the side frame units 13,14. These side frames areshown in Figs. 6-A and 6-42 and arealso 'in folded condition in Figures 4 and 5 on'the same sheet as Fig. 1. It will be apparent .on inspection of Figs. 1,3, Land 5 that it is' only necessary to unfold the side frame units I3, l4 andto connect their end fittings to the A-frames by sliding them downwardly onthe previously described plates 64 (Figs. ldand l7) a-center vertical member 63 extending-downwardly to the ground as shown in Fig. 3. When a side frame assembly for both sides of the tent is assembled as above mentioned, the frame will be in the condition shown in Fig.

3. It is intended that the canvas will be placed over the frame when it is first assembled on the ground as shown in Fig. 1 and it is obvious that the canvas will be raised at the same time as the frame and when completed the canvas will be in place ready to be staked down as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3.

As shown in the various sectional views such as Figs. 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 19 and 20, the frame herein illustrated is preferably made up of square steel tubing or structural channels for the frame supporting members while channel members are used for the top and bottom longitudinals of the ridge pole, all. of the structural members being.

preferably constructed of standard. structural shapes. With such a construction it is possible; to make'the frame ofrelatively light construction, the lrectangularrand square shapedv form of the parts also lends itself to formation of-joints necessary for making the several sub-assemblies into satisfactory folding units; It is also important that'the entire unit is made up into-a relatively small number of' sub-assembly units each com-' plete and permanentlyassembled, the'seven units being shown in Figs. 6 to 6F inclusive, as previously noted. These folded units can be piled into a compact form and the entire bundle securely fastened in a single package.

sembled with the minimum amount of time, two men.caneasily completethe assembly,

Although a tent frame structure designed for a specific purpose has been described herein, it is the intention that various modifications may be made when designing frames suitable for-other purposes while making use of the principles herein disclosed.

We claim: 1. A structure of the class described comprising', A-frames forming ends for supporting said structure, ridge pole pins pivoted ona horizontal fundamental I axis parallel with the plane of said A-frames, a

ridge pole connecting said A-frames and supported on-said ridge pole pins.

2. A structure of theclass described compris ing, a pair of A-frames forming ends of said structure, diagonal raftermembers on each of said A-frames, a hinge joint connecting said diagonal members and forming a portion of the A-frame, a detachable A-frame cross brace connectingsaid diagonal members below said hinge, a ridge pole pin pivotally mounted on each of said A-frames ona horizontal axis in thei plane of said A-frame above said hinge and on an axis at right angles to the pivotal axis of said, hinge connection, a ridge pole adapted to be mounted on said ridge polepins wherebysaid A-frame's and said ridge pole may be assembled by laying said A-frames in a horizontal position,- then It is. alsoimportant that the entire assembly of a'tent em ploying this frame structure may be easily asplacing said ridge pole on said ridge pole pins and' r Inv a tentv frame, a folding TA frame com'-' prising diagonal rafter members, a:pin. forming.

a hinge at the ape'x'of said A-frame and connecting said diagonal members adjacent; the ends thereof, a ridge pole pin,an'd a. pivotal connection .for said ridge pole pin mounted above said hinge connection and having its axis ,at .right angles thereto,

5. In a tent frame, A-frames forming ends of I said frame, diagonal members forming the apex of each of saidA-frames'a hinge joint connecting said diagonal members adjacent the apex of each of saidA' -frames, aridge pole pin, a pivotal mounting for said ridge pole pin having an axis parallel with the plane of said A-frame, and supporting means for said pivotal mounting carried by one of said diagonal members at one side of Y said hinge connection;

6. in 'a frame of the character described, end frames, a ridge pole, ridge pole pins mounted adjacent the apex of said end frames, and a pivotal mounting for said ridge pole pins'having a horizontal axis parallel with the plane 'of' said end frames.

7. In a frame of the chara'cter'described; a'

ridge pole of the lattice girder type comprising a pair of sectional portions, and a hinge connecting said sectional portions; end frames supporting said ridge pole; a pivotal connection between each end of said ridge pole and each of said end frames having its axis'horizontal and parallel to the plane of said end frames; and a diagonal brace member connecting each of said end frames with said'ridge pole.

8. In a frame of the character described, end frames, a ridge pole, a pivotal connection adjacent the top of each of said end frames for connecting the end portions of said ridge pole to said endframes, said pivotal connections positioned to allow swinging of said end frames relative to said ridge pole'on a substantially horizontal axis.

of said pivotal connections.

' 9. In a tent frame, A-frame end walls corn prising, a pair ofdiagonalmembers forming upper portions of said A-frames having a slotted hole opening near each lower end, vertical members forming lower portions of said A-frames; a pivot pin in each of said slotted hole openings effecting a pivotal connection between said vertical and diagonal members and allowing relative sliding movement between said Vertical members and said diagonal members thereby to place said vertical members closely adjacent the ends of 7 said diagonal members when in final position'and to allow said vertical members to move away from said diagonal members when folding said vertical members relative to said diagonal members.

ROBERT R. P TTERSON. ALFRED TRUEMAN. 

